The Watch Factory
Sutton, London
Reviving a 1905 watchmaking building into modern living spaces.
Acquired off-market in 2022, The Watch Factory is a landmark conversion project in the heart of Sutton, London. Once home to a thriving jewellery and watchmaking business, the building had stood largely underused for decades, with its upper floors empty for more than 30 years.
Situated within a conservation area, the front parade dates back to 1905 with a rear addition from 1932, both of which carry layers of history and character.
We secured the site subject to planning, achieving full permission in 2024 before completing the purchase in September of that year. Construction was delivered over 12 months, reaching completion in September 2025. Oakgrove acted as both developer and main contractor, managing every stage of the refurbishment and conversion in-house.
The project presented unique challenges, from upgrading the building to modern residential standards to navigating a complex legal structure to create a new commercial lease. Works were carried out while the tenant of the ground-floor retail unit remained in full operation, requiring careful logistics on a tight urban site.
Meticulously designed kitchens with bespoke worktops.
The refurbishment included a new roof, new windows, and insulation of external walls, along with cleaning and repairing the historic façade. Original structural features, including the loading bay doors and steel lifting beam, were retained and restored, preserving the building’s industrial character. High-performing EPC ratings and sustainable measures were achieved through full insulation and a solar panel system allocated to each apartment.
Inside, the homes are finished to a high specification, with bespoke kitchens featuring integrated Bosch appliances and aluminium warehouse-style glazing that references the original factory windows while flooding interiors with light. The result is a development that blends heritage and modern living, transforming a long-neglected asset into a collection of energy-efficient homes designed to endure.
